System for electrical interconnection and switching of multiple lighting fixtures

Claim 3

The method claimed in claim 1 which further includes connecting one end of those portions of said circuit leads extending through said fixtures to a fixture-mounted receptacle, and in connecting one end of those portions of said circuit leads extending between said fixtures to a plug-in connector reversibly enterable into said receptacle.

Claim 4

The method claimed in claim 1 which further includes selectively switching those portions of said first and second circuit leads extending between said power source and the first fixture.

Claim 5

The method claimed in claim 1 which further includes selectively switching those portions of said first or second circuit leads extending between said fixtures.

Claim 6

An electrical interconnect system for multiple lighting fixtures, comprising; a power source, a plurality of lighting fixtures each having one or more lamps, first, second, and third circuit leads extending from said power source to a first fixture, through each fixture, and between successive fixtures, internal connections connecting said fixture lamps across those portions of said first and third circuit leads extending through said fixtures, means connecting said first and second circuit leads to one side of said power source and said third lead to the other side thereof, said portions of said first and second circuit leads extending between two of said fixtures being cross-connected with said portions of said first and second circuit leads extending through one of the said two fixtures so that the lamps in succeeding fixtures are connected to said power source through said second and third circuit leads, a flexible conduit extending between and connected to adjacent fixtures and enclosing those portions of said three circuit leads extending between said fixtures, means for detachably connecting at least one end of said conduits to said fixtures and for detachably connecting at least one end of said circuit lead portions extending between said fixtures to those portions thereof extending through said fixtures, comprising, a receptacle mounted in each fixture having terminals connected to an end of said circuit lead portions extending through said fixture and a cooperating plug-in connector connected to an end of each flexible conduit and having terminals connected to an end of said circuit lead portions extending between said fixtures.

Claim 7

An electrical interconnect system for multiple lighting fixtures, comprising; a power source, a plurality of lighting fixtures each having one or more lamps, first, second, and third circuit leads extending from said power source to a first fixture, through each fixture, and between successive fixtures, internal connections connecting said fixture lamps across those portions of said first and third circuit leads extending through said fixtures, means connecting said first and second circuit leads to one side of said power source and said third lead to the other side thereof, said portions of said first and second circuit leads extending between two of said fixtures being cross-connected with said portions of said first and second circuit leads extending through one of the said two fixtures so that the lamps in succeeding fixtures are connected to said power source through said second and third circuit leads, a flexible conduit extending between and connected to adjacent fixtures and enclosing those portions of said three circuit leads extending between said fixtures, means for detachably connecting at least one end of said conduits to said fixtures and for detachably connecting at least one end of said circuit lead portions extending between said fixtures to those portions thereof extending through said fixtures, comprising, a receptacle mounted in each fixture having terminals connected to an end of said circuit lead portions extending through said fixture and a cooperating plug-in connector connected to an end of each flexible conduit and having terminals connected to an end of said circuit lead portions extending between said fixtures.

Claim 8

The electrical interconnect system claimed in claim 5 which further includes means for independently switching said first and second circuit leads at a point between said power source and said first fixture.

Claim 9

An electrical interconnect system for multiple lighting fixtures, comprising; a power source, a plurality of lighting fixtures each having one or more lamps, first, second, and third circuit leads extending from said power source to a first fixture through each fixture and between successive fixtures, internal circuit connections connecting said fixture lamps across those portions of said first and third circuit leads extending through said fixtures, means connecting said first and second circuit leads to one side of said power source and said third lead to the other side thereof, a flexible conduit extending between and connected to adjacent fixtures and enclosing those portions of said three circuit leads extending between said fixtures, means for detachably connecting at least one end of said conduits to said fixtures and for detachably connecting at least one end of said circuit lead portions extending through said fixtures to those portions extending between said fixtures, comprising, a receptacle mounted in each fixture and a cooperating plug-in connector on an end of each conduit, said plug-in connectors being reversibly enterable into said receptacles, and said first and second circuit lead portions extending through and between said fixtures being connected to terminals in said receptacles and in said plug-in connectors, respectively, in such order as to be straight through connected when said plug-in connector is entered into a receptacle in one position and cross-connected when entered in a reverse position.

Claim 10

An electrical interconnect system for multiple lighting fixtures, comprising; a power source, a plurality of lighting fixtures each having one or more lamps, first, second, and third circuit leads extending from said power source to a first fixture through each fixture and between successive fixtures, internal circuit connections connecting said fixture lamps across those portions of said first and third circuit leads extending through said fixtures, means connecting said first and second circuit leads to one side of said power source and said third lead to the other side thereof, a flexible conduit extending between and connected to adjacent fixtures and enclosing those portions of said three circuit leads extending between said fixtures, means for detachably connecting at least one end of said conduits to said fixtures and for detachably connecting at least one end of said circuit lead portions extending through said fixtures to those portions extending between said fixtures, comprising, a receptacle mounted in each fixture and a cooperating plug-in connector on an end of each conduit, said plug-in connectors being reversibly enterable into said receptacles, and said first and second circuit lead portions extending through and between said fixtures being connected to terminals in said receptacles and in said plug-in connectors, respectively, in such order as to be straight through connected when said plug-in connector is entered into a receptacle in one position and cross-connected when entered in a reverse position.

Claim 11

The electrical interconnect system claimed in claim 1 which further includes a flexible conduit extending between said power source and a first fixture enclosing said circuit leads, and having a reversible plug-in connector on at least one end thereof reversibly enterable into a receptacle mounted in said first fixture.

Claim 12

The electrical interconnect system claimed in claim 1 which further includes means for independently switching said first and second circuit leads at a point between said power source and a first lighting fixture.

Claim 13

The electrical interconnect system claimed in claim 1 which further includes means for independently switching said first or second circuit leads at a point between two lighting fixtures.